Nigeria U20 GK keeps first professional clean sheet as race begins to become Super Eagles No.1

Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso recorded a major career milestone on Saturday, keeping his first clean sheet as a professional in Chornomorets Odesa’s hard-fought 1-0 home victory over LNZ Cherkasy in the Ukrainian Premier League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The match, played at the Stadion Chornomorets in Odesa, marked a personal breakthrough for Aniagboso, who had been waiting patiently for a proper first-team opportunity since joining the club last year.

Trusted with a starting role in a struggling Chornomorets side rooted to the foot of the table, the 20-year-old delivered a composed and commanding performance between the sticks.

It was Aniagboso’s first start since debuting last September in a 1-1 draw — ironically also against Cherkasy.

The Nigerian shot-stopper had since been sidelined in favour of 32-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Artur Rudko, but a string of poor results and a defensive crisis opened the door for Aniagboso’s return to the starting XI.

The victory was just Chornomorets’ fifth of the season and ended a dismal 13-match run with only one win and no clean sheets. With Aniagboso in goal, the defence looked far more assured, helping the team to a vital three points that lifted them off the bottom of the table and up to 18 points—three away from safety.

This landmark moment is the latest in Aniagboso’s rising career.

Nigeria squad for the #AFCON2023Q against Guinea-Bissau .

Nigeria U20 duo captain Daniel Bameyi (17) and goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso (18) included. pic.twitter.com/oONi37GDRQ

— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) March 17, 2023

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He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he kept four clean sheets in five matches — including the 4-0 bronze medal win over Tunisia — helping the Flying Eagles to a third-place finish and qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

At the tournament in Argentina, Aniagboso again proved dependable, starring in Nigeria’s wins over Italy and host nation Argentina, keeping clean sheets in both encounters as the team progressed to the quarter-finals before losing narrowly to South Korea after extra time.

Chijioke Aniagboso (GK) vs Italy

100% aerial duels won (4/4)
3 saves
1 save inside the box
5 high claims
43 touches
16 passes
1 key pass
1 big chance created

Bagged an ️ via his “route 1” special.

Dude was d epitome of composure today#FlyingEagles#FIFAU20WorldCup #ITANGA pic.twitter.com/E5ZZ9njXzL

— David CL Mikel Okoye (@007Supernerd) May 24, 2023

His performances earned him a move to Europe later in 2023, initially joining Ukrainian side Polissya, before a loan spell at PFC Zvyagel, and finally sealing a permanent transfer to Chornomorets in September.

With the Super Eagles’ No.1 shirt still up for grabs, Aniagboso’s progress will be closely monitored.

Nigeria’s current first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali came under scrutiny following the team’s underwhelming 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier last month, while the alternatives — Kayode Bankole and Amas Obasogie — remain largely untested at international level.

If Aniagboso continues his upward trajectory, he could emerge as a strong contender to lead the line for Nigeria at major tournaments in the near future. His next opportunity comes when Chornomorets travel to Obolon Kyiv, who sit 13th, next weekend.